6 Hidden Gems the Chicago Bears Should Have Noticed at the Combine

This year's NFL Scouting Combine wasn't short on the excitement. We saw both of the top quarterbacks throw and work out, which is rare, and we saw some freakish athletes who will look to get after those quarterbacks at the next level. 

While everybody wants to talk about the main guys, the combine is still for the little guys. This is the perfect time for a hidden gem to shine, and all it takes is one team to stand up and take notice. 

Chicago Bears head coach John Fox and his staff were in attendance and likely saw some hidden gems they are intrigued by. There were six that caught our eye as well. Here are the guys you should have on your radar.

This draft is stacked at the top with edge-rushers, and the combine proved just how freakishly athletic these guys are. 

Much of the buzz centered around Vic Beasley, Dante Fowler and Bud Dupree—and for good reason—but Virgina's Eli Harold showed he can hold his own. 

At 6'3'', 247 pounds, Harold ran a 4.60-second 40-yard dash and put up above average numbers in the shuttle drills (7.07 in the three-cone, 4.16 in the 20-yard and 11.81 in the 60-yard).

Harold is an explosive athlete who could be an interesting option for the Bears at the top of the second round. They can either chase defensive tackle Danny Shelton in the first and go after Harold next, or pair Harold with one of the other impressive edge guys in the top 10. 

If Harold climbs draft boards all the way into the first round, then the Bears should trade back to grab him along with another first- or second-round pick. 

The Bears desperately need a receiver who can stretch the defense with his speed as well as run solid routes underneath. 

Kansas State's Tyler Lockett fits the mold, and adds a much-needed element on special teams. 

Lockett ran a 4.40 40 and proved he can make those sharp cuts needed in the return game and underneath routes. He put up 4.07 in the 20-yard shuttle and 11.14 in the 60-yard shuttle. 

At 182 pounds, Lockett is going to need to add at least 10 pounds to play consistently in the NFL.

Even with his slight frame, he's a productive player with the speed that the Bears desperately need. In a deep wide receiver draft class, Lockett should be on Chicago's radar after teams start snagging the top options. 

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio loves an in-the-box safety who isn't afraid to mix it up. Central Florida's Clayton Geathers fits the mold and brings a surprising element of speed with him. 

At 6'2'', 218 pounds, Geathers ran a 4.55 40 and put up 22 reps on the bench press. Both numbers are indicative of how Geathers wants to play. 

He loves to close in on the ball and deliver bone-jarring hits. At times, his recklessness causes him to take poor angles and miss tackles, but the desire and ability is there. 

Geathers is a project, but a coach like Fangio can certainly develop him into a productive strong safety in the NFL.

Too often, workouts and running in shorts are overly relied upon when deciding whether or not a young man will be a good football player at the pro level. TCU's Paul Dawson fits into this category. 

Dawson didn't have a good combine. He ran a 4.93 40 and didn't show any explosiveness in the rest of the drills. He's considered a combine loser, and his stock probably took a hit, but the guy is still a heck of a football player. 

On the first day of the combine, general manager Ryan Pace said at his press conference that he really only cares about the interviews and the medical results. Pace has enough tape and will get to see this players up close in individual workouts. 

Dawson had a great response to his poor performance. He fired off this tweet on Sunday: 

I'm an awesome football player. The best/most productive linebacker in this draft. Not a track Star. #meetmeonthefield

— Paul Dawson Jr (@PjDawson47) February 22, 2015 

There's no denying his passion and production in college. If other teams want to bail on Dawson because of his performance, then the Bears should take a long look. He's a heck of a football player. 

Last year's first-round pick Kyle Fuller is a player to build around, but the Bears could use another reliable young corner going forward. 

Tim Jennings has declined over the past two seasons, and the team's depth behind him and Fuller is an issue. Texas State's Craig Mager is an under-the-radar player who could turn into a reliable starter down the line. 

Mager ran a 4.44 40 and posted an impressive 130" broad jump. He's a four-year starter who isn't afraid to stick his nose into a play and make a tackle. He has great closing speed, but needs to work on his instincts. 

At 5'11'', 201 pounds, Mager has decent size, and his leaping ability makes up for any height disadvantages against taller players. Mager and Fuller could be the future of the secondary going forward if the Bears can grab him.

The Bears desperately need a center. Roberto Garza is long in the tooth, and Brian de la Puente is more of a backup. When it comes to hidden gems, it doesn't get any more obscure than a kid from Hobart and William Smith. 

Ali Marpet opened eyes when he ran a 4.98-second 40. He really got people's attention with his 7.33-second three-cone drill and 4.47-second 20-yard shuttle. At 6'4'', 307 pounds, he's very agile and moves well in space. 

The biggest concern teams might have about Marpet is his lack of athletic competition. The Bears would be wise to run him through an individual workout, but there's no denying his size and athletic ability.